Illuminating and signaling device for outdoor automobile drivein theaters



Oct. 5, 1954 J. F. BYRD x-:TAL 2,691,160 ILLUMINATING AND SIGNALINGDEVICE FOR OUTDOOR AUTOMOBILE DRIVE-IN THEATRES Filed March 3l, 1949 '3Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY C- 5, 1954 J. F. BYRD ET A1. 2,691,160

ILLUMINATING AND SIGNALING DEVICE FOR OUTDOOR AUTOMOBILE DRIVE-INTHEATRES Filed March 3l, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 y? Ik v INVEN-roRs J'UHNF1 BYRD AND T MESD, P FP.

ATToNEY Oct. 5, 1954 J BYRD ET F. AL ILLUMINATING AND SIGNALING DEVICEFOR OUTDOOR AUTOMOBILE DRIVE-IN THEATRES Filed March 3l 1949 5Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS F. BYRD AND Patented ct. 5, 19514'llLLUMINATING AND SIGNALING DEVICE FOR OUTDOOR AUTOMOBILE DRIVE- INTHEATERS John il'. Byrd, Ashlan d, and .lames D. Phyfe,

Moorestown, N. J., assignors to Radio Corporation of America,

a corporation of Delaware Application March 31,1949, Serial No. 84,70@

(Cl. S40-310) 14 Claims.

1 This invention relates to a lighting device for outdoor automobiledrive-in theatres, and more particularly to a combination illuminatingdevice for the driveways and signalling means for attracting theattention oi a concession attendant.

In the operation of automobile drive-in theatres, it is necessary toprovide illumination for the parking area which will permit patrons tosee the driveways and stalls or parking spaces without the use of theirautomobile headlights, and yet not be too bright so that it willinterfere with the performance or be otherwise disturbing to thepatrons. In general, prior art illuminating systems and devices in useat present are of a type in which a light is supported on a very hightower or pole, the light being directed downwardly and casting a ratherdim illumination or moonlight eiect over the entire parking area.Systems such as these have several disadvantages, among them being thatthe illumination is either not sunicient to illuminate the driveways, orit is too bright and consequently interferes with the performance orotherwise disturbs the patrons. ln addition, since the light must besupported on a tower or pole, the structure in most cases is of such aheight that it constitutes a hazard to aviation, and, according togovernment regulations, it is required that a warning light be placed onthe top thereof. With this arrangement, the lights are not only dimcultto service, but the warning lights must be maintained and servicedthroughout the year, even though the theatre is not in use during theWinter months.

In many drive-in theatres, vending concessions are granted, and in mostcases no provision is made for attracting the attention of the vendor,with the result that the vendor is required to solicit the occupants ofeach automobile. This, of course, is disturbing to the occupants notdesiring service.

The primary object of our present invention is to provide an improvedilluminating system ior automobile drive-in theatres which willeliminate the above as well as other disadvantages of prior artilluminating systems.

It is also an object of our invention to provide a combinationilluminating device and concession signal for drive-in theatres.

A further object of our invention is to provide a combinationilluminating device, concession signal, and loudspeaker support fordrivein theatres.

A still further object of our invention is to 2 provide an improvedsystem of illumination for automobile drive-in theatres which willassist the driver of an automobile in following the driveways.

It is another object of our invention to provide an improvedilluminating device for lighting the driveways and for indicating thestalls or parking spaces in order to facilitate parking an automobileadjacent to a loudspeaker station.

Another object of our invention is to provide an improved lighting andsignalling device which may be quickly and easily installed and whichmay be readily serviced and maintained.

ln accordance with our'present invention, we provide an illuminating andsignalling device for automobile drive-in theatres which com-- prises ahousing adapted to be mounted on a support located between adjacentpairs of automobile stalls. 'lhe housing, which comprises a base portionand a cover portion, has a light source disposed in its interior.Separate openings are provided in the base portion with a lens mountedin each opening, one of the lenses projecting a beam of light downwardlyaround the base of the support, and the other lens projecting a beam cilight at an acute angle to the first mentioned light beam andilluminating a small area of ground in the driveway adjacent therespective stalls. The light source is adjustable with respect to thelenses so that the spots of light on the driveways may be adjusted todelineate a path along the driveways for guiding the driver of anautomobile. A signalling device in the form of a light filter is movablyattached to the base and is adapted to be brought into registry withoneof the openings for the purpose of giving a distinctive signal tothereby attract the attention of the concession attendant when serviceis desired.v in the event the sound system of the drive-in theatre isone which employs. individual loudspeakers which are to be placed in therespective automobiles, the illuminating device may be arranged toprovide a suitable support and connection for the loudspeakers, theelectrical wiring being incorporated in a, common wiring systemconnecting the respective stations, if desired.

The novel features of our invention, as well as additional objects andadvantages thereof, will be better understood from the followingdetailed description of several embodiments thereof when read inconnection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a planview of an outdoor automobile drive-in theatre provided with a light-` 3ing system employing illuminating devices in accordance with ourinvention, the light beams for the driveways being shown directedforwardly,

Figure 2 is an enlarged side View of one of the illuminating devicesillustrated in Figure l showing its position with respect to anautomobile parked in one oi the stalls, the beam of light being shownprojected forwardly to illuminate a portion of the driveway in front ofthe stall,

Figure 3 is a side View similar to Figure :l showing a second embodimentor" the illuminating device wherein sepa-rate beams of light areprojected on the driveways in front and back of the automoible stalls,

Figure el is an enlarged, plan View of the illuminating device shown inFigure 2 with the housing cover removed, and showing portions oi theloudspeaker supports connected to the base thereof,

Figure 5 is a side view in section of the illumihating device shown inFigure Li, taken on the line 5 1 and including the housing cover and aportion of the pedestal or support,

Figure 6 is an enlarged bottom view of a portion of the base of theilluminating device illustrated in Figure 4 showing a manually operabletransparent signal slide,

Figure l is a View similar to Figure 6 but showing a modified form ofsignal slide,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary end View of an illuminating device providedwith a magnetically operated signal slide, and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side view of an illuminating device providedwith an electrically controlled signal.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, wherein similar referencecharacters designate corresponding parts throughout, there is shown, inFigure 1, an outdoor automobile drive-in theatre i, comprising alternaterows ci driveways 2 and stalls or parking spaces 3 arcuately arrangedwith respect to a stage or motion picture projection screen 5.

The stalls 3 are adapted to receive automobiles l for parking adjacentto each other and facing the screen 5. In most cases, the stalls aresomewhat vertically inclined upwardly toward the screen, as illustratedin Figures 2 and 3, and the screen 5 is considerably elevated from theground so that patrons may View the performance from the seats of theirautomobiles, through the windshield thereof, free of obstruction orinterference from other automobiles which may be using the driveways, orwhich may be parked in stalls between the screen and their ownautomobiles.

In order that sound from the sound system may be eiiectively heard bythe patrons, loudspeakers are disposed at stations 9 adjacent each ofthe stalls 3, being located either in a position at the forward end ofthe stall so that the speaker will be directly in front of a parkedautomobile, or on supports between adjacent pairs of stalls. In thelatter case, the loudspeaker is usually arranged so that it may beremoved from its support and placed within the automobile of the userthereof, as more particularly disclosed in the copending application oiJames D. Phyfe, Ser. No. 585,830, iiled March 3l, 19%, now Patent No.2,458,985. The illuminating device of our present invention isparticularly adapted for use with this latter type of sound systemv andmay be Quickly. and easily combi-ned therewith.

Each cfthek stations Ilocated between adjacent pairs of stalls 3,`cou'lprises a pedestal or support l l on top of which there is disposeda housing or illuminating device i3 which is securely fastened to thesupport by means of a set screw lli, or any other suitable means. Thehousing i3 comprises a base il and a removable cover i9, the latterbeing provided with a screw or bolt 2! adapted to engage a centralextension 23 of the base Il to thereby securely fasten the cover to thebase. A terminal board 25 is disposed within the housing i3, beingmounted on the base l1 by means of a pair of supports 21. A light source2B, comprising a socket 29 and an electric light bulb 3l, is alsodisposed within the housing i3, and is adjustably supported on a rib 33of the central extension 23 by means of a strap clamp 35 and screw 3l,the socket 2S having electrical connection with the terminal board 25 bymeans of a lead 39.

ln one end ill of the housing i3, two apertures 45 are provided throughwhich light is projected in separate beams from the common light source253. Lenses lil, di! are mounted, respectively, in the apertures 133, i5by means of holdrs 5 i, 55% which are securely retained in the aperturesby any suitable means. While the lens 41 shown in Figure 5 of thedrawing is a planoconvei: lens, this, however, is not essential and aplain, flat lens may be used if desired. The lens Lil is disposed withits axis (shown by arrows 55) substantially vertical so that a beam oflight will be projected thereby vertically downwardly to illuminate aportion of the pedestal or support il, as well as a relatively smallarea of ground about the base of the pedestal, as indicated by thebroken line outline 5l in Figures l through 3. The lens i9 is disposedwith its axis (shown by arrows t9) at an acute angle to the axis of thelens :il so that a beam of light will be projected by the lens is at anacute angle to the vertical light beam to thereby illuminate acomparatively small area of ground on the driveway to which it isdirected, as shown by the brel-:en line outline il@ in Figures l through3.

The axes of both lenses 4l', 49 intersect at a point within the housing,and the light source 28 is disposed substantially at that point ofintersection so that it may provide a common source or" light for bothbeams. However, it will be observed from Figures ll and 5 that thelong-itudinal axis of the socket 2% and light bulb 3| substantiallycoincides with the axis of the lens 49. Simply by loosening the screw31, the light bulb 3i may then be moved toward or away from the lensit?, along, the latters` axis, thereby permitting adjustment of the sizeof the spot of light on the driveway. On the other hand, it will also beobserved that the socket is rotatable about the screw S7. As` a result,the light bulb 3| may be moved in an` are which raises and lowers thebulb with respect to` the lensA 49. This latter movement will 4cause thebeam of light. 6B to move in a vertical plane and' thus the spot oflight on the driveway may be adjusted with respect to its distance fromthe station 9. In this manner, all ofV the. stations 9 mayl be adjustedso that the series of spots of light which are projected on the.driveway can. be aligned along the center line oi the driveway tothereby assist the driver of an automobile in following the pathprovided by the driveway. Although the housing is of such design thatthe light is suiliciently shielded, in most circumstances it will also be locatedv in la position below the level off the windows of the parkedautomobiles, and therefore the light will not be bothersome to patrons.n

While the illuminating device I 3, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, isshown with the driveway beam directed on the driveway infront of thestalls, it will, of course, be recognized that the device may beutilized in a reverse position, so that it will project a beam of lighton the driveway in back of the stalls.

Inasmuch, as vending concessions are permitted in many drive-intheatres, the illuminating device I3 is provided with means for giving adistinctive signal in order to attract the attention of an attendant forservice. One form of signalling means comprises a transparent, coloredslide 6| mounted on the exterior of the base I1 in a recess 63 providedtherefor. The slide 6I is held in place loosely by 'means of screws orbolts 55 'and washers 61 so that it may be moved in a horizontal planefrom either side of the housing I 3, as indicated by the arrows 58 inFigure 6. The slide 6I is also provided with a centrally disposedaperture 69 which is in registry with the aperture 43 when the slide isin its normal operating position and thereby permits unfiltered lighttopass when service is not desired. The slide 6I is further provided withan extension 'II along one longitudinal edge thereof which functions asa stop to limit movement of the slide. When the slide 6| is moved anamount sumcient to displace the opening S9 with respect to the aperture43, the slide will intercept the light beam, with the result that thelight projected through the aperture 'i3 will be iiltered through thetransparent, colored slide and a colored beam of light will be casttoward the ground signifying that service is desired from the concessionattendant.

The signal slide may also be arranged to provide a variety of signals,such, for example, as the modied form of signal slide 'I3 illustrated inFigure '7 of the drawing is capable of providing. The slide 'I3comprises a non-transparent member which is structurally similar to theslide 6I except that it has three aligned apertures l5, 11, 19. Thecenter aperture TI permits light to pass unfiltered like the centerapertures 69 in the rst embodiment, while the other two apertures 75, I9have colored filter discs 8|, 83 inserted therein. The lter colors mayeither be the same in both of the outside apertures '55, 19,

or they may be of different colors, like the red lter disc 8| and theblue filter disc 83 illustrated in Figure 7, in order to morespecifically designate the patrons desiring service. In the latter case,the slide is arranged to be operated in a predetermined direction foreach signal light, such as that indicated by either of the arrows B5 inFigure 7, to thereby distinctly point out the patron desiring service.

While the signal slides 5|, 'I3 thus far described are intended to beoperated manually, it is conceivable that other means of operating theslide may be provided. For example, as illustrated in Figure 8, amagnetic device in the form of a solenoid 8l may be attached to thehousing base Il by means of the same bolts 65 which hold the slide onthe base. A signal slide 89 having end portions 9|, 93 extending atright angles to the main body portion is provided in place of theelongated, iiat slides 6I, 'is shown in Figures 4 through 7. The endportion 9| has an extension 95 which is engaged by the armature 97 ofthe solenoid 81 so that the slide 89 will move in response to movementof the armature 81. A spring 99 is attached to the other end portion 93for the purpose of restoring and maintaining the slide 89 in its normalposition when service is not desired `and the solenoid is not energized.In the event service is desired, the patron operates a switch (notshown) which is connected to the solenoid 81 by means of leads II and asuitable electrical energy source, thereby causing the solenoid to beenergized and the armature @l to be moved in a manner well known in theart. Thus, the slide t9 will be moved to the extent necessary todisplace a central aperture |93 provided therein from the path of thedownwardly projected light beam, and a second aperture HB5 having acolored light i'ilter therein will be brought into the light beam pathto thereby provide a distinctive signal which will attract theconcession attendant.

Still another method of signalling the concession attendant may beprovided in the form of an electrical device as illustrated in Figure 9.This type of signalling device employs separate and distinct lightsources I |37, Its for the light beams indicated by arrows III, IIS,respectively, the light sources being shielded from each other by anysuitable means such as the shield H5. In this case, the light source lesis intended to be used for signalling the concession attendant byvarying the intensity of the light beam M3. This is accomplished byintroducing a suitable resistance element I Il in the electrical circuitI I i? connecting the light source |09 to a source of electrical energyI2I. A switch |223 is in shunt with the resistance element II'I so that,when service is desired, a patron operates the switch to cause anincrease or decrease, as the case might be, in the intensity of thelight beam IIS.

For the convenience of the patrons, the electrical switches whichoperate the signaling devices illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 may beprovided on the loudspeaker devices which are placed within theautomobile.

As pointed out above, the illuminating device may conveniently be usedwith a loudspeaker system which employs individual loudspeakers forplacement in the respective automobiles as disclosed in theabove-identified, copending Phyfe application. In this event, theilluminating device iS provided with a wire basket on each side of thehousing I3 for receiving the loudspeakers when not in use. Each baskethas a pair of wire extremities |25 which are inserted in apertures i2?in the housing base Il, the extremities being securely held in place bythe housing cover I9. The terminal board 25 within the housing I3, whichhas electrical connections for the light source 28, may also providesuitable connections for the loudspeakers which are connected into thesound system through an audio frequency transformer |29, also locatedwithin the housing I3 and mounted on the base I'I.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the improvedilluminating device provided by our present invention is adapted toaccomplish three functions, namely: first, it will project a spot oflight into the driveway and thereby provide adequate illumination fordrivers seeking a parking space; second, it will provide illuminationfor each speaker station thereby acting as a marker to facilitateparking adjacent thereto; and third, it will provide a means forsignalling or attracting the attention of .a concession attendant. Inaddition thereto, the illuminating device is not only readily accessiblefor the purpose of servicing, but it requires comparatively littlemaintenance during periods when the theatre is not operating.

While the illuminating devioeldescribed; herein provides for two, beamsof light, one downward and one at an acute. angle thereto, itr maybe,a1'- ranged to project light downwardly, as wellas forwardly andbackwardly, as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, and instead of acommon light source being provided for the several functions, separatelight sources, may.l be provided for each function. Persons skilled inthe art will, of course, recognize that other modications and changeswill readily suggest themselves.4 Therefore, wey desire that theparticular form of our inventiondescribed herein shall be considered asillustrative and notas limiting.

What is claimed is:

l. In a drive-in, theatre having alternate rows of driveways and parkinglanes including a plurality of automobile stalls, a combinedilluminating system for said driveways and markers for said stallscomprising a plurality of light source stations disposed at spacedintervals. in said parking lanes between adjacent stalls thereof, eachof said stations including (l) a housing, (2) a light source in saidhousing, (3) means on said housing for projecting from said light sourceonto a selected area of an adjacent driveway a light spot, said spotsbeing spaced along the respective driveways in correspondence with theirrespectively associated stations, and (4) means on said housing forprojecting a light spot from said light source onto an area of groundbeneath said housing.

2. An illuminating system for automobile drive-in theatreshavingalternate rows of automobile driveways and inclined stalls comprising aplurality of stations separate ones of which are disposed betweenadjacent pairs of said stalls, each of said stations comprising asupport, an illuminating device mounted on said support and comprising ahousing, means mounted within said housing providing a source of light,and means on said housing for projecting separate light beams from saidsource, one downwardly to illuminate an area beneath said housing, and Nanother at an acute angle to said iirst mentioned light beam toward anadjacent one of said driveways to illuminate an area thereof.

3. The invention set forth in claim 2 wherein said housing is providedwith separate openings z 4. The invention set forth in claim 3 whereinone of said lenses is so disposed that its axis extends substantiallyvertically and the otherV of said lenses is so disposed that its axisextends at an acute angle to said first mentioned axis and intersectsthe latterl at a point within said housing.

.3; The invention set forth in claim 4 wherein said light source meansis disposed substantially at the point of intersection of the axes ofsaid lenses.

6. The invention as set forth inclaim 5 wherein said light source meansis adjustable with re.- spect to said lenses.

7. A combined illuminating, and signalling device for automobiledrive-in theatres, said device comprising a housing., means within said8 housing providing alight source therein.. means on said housing forprojecting a pair of light beams downwardlyl from said. source in twoseparate4 directions, one of said light beamsl being directed to. aselected area of ground to illuminate said area, and: means associatedwith said other lightbeam. for controlling at will the transmissioncharacteristic thereof to` thereby provide a distinctive signal.

8; The invention set forth in claim 7 wherein said means forcontrollingl the transmission characteristic of said other lightv beamcomprises a manually operatedV slide attached to said housing and beingadapted to intercept said. other light. beam.

9. llhe invention set forth in claim 'I wherein said mea-ns forcontrolling the. transmission characteristic ofi said otherV lightVbeam. comprises a slide attached to said. housing 'for intercepting thepath of saidother light beam, and. wherein magnetic means is provided onsaidl housing for operating said slide.,

l0; The invention set forth in claim '1f wherein said* lightsource meanscomprises separate and distinct light sources for projecting each ofsaid lightbeams, and wherein electrical means is associated. with one;of said light sources for altering the amount of illumination providedfor said other light beam.

11. n combined illuminating and signalling device for automobiledrive-in theatres, said device, comprising. a housing, means within saidhousing providing a light source therein, means on said'` housing forprojecting a pairV of light beams from said sourceY in two separatedirections, one of said lighty beams serving to illuminate a selected:area of ground, and means movably disposed' for moven'ient4 intoy andout of the path of said other'V light beam at will for changthe.ztransmission characteristic of said other beam to thereby provide a.distinctive signal.

i2. The. invention set forth in claim l'l wherein said housingcomprises. a base and a cover removably mounted on said base, saidhousing bein-gf provided with separate openings in the lower portionthereof, and wherein. said means for projecting; said. pair of lightbeams comprises a lens mounted within, each of said openings.

13; The invention set forth in claim l2 wherein one. of said lenses isso disposed that its axis extends substantially vertically and the otherof said; lenses is so disposed, that its axis extends at an acute,angle, to saidy first mentioned axis and intersects. the latterv atv apoint within said housing'.

le'. Thev invent-ionA as set forth inclaim 131 wherein said light',source is common to both of said` lenses and', is disposedsubstantiallyV at the point of intersection of said lens axes.

References. Gited in the le of this patent STATES PATENTS' Number NamevDate I,5D,347' Hamilton- NOV. 22, 1927 1,711,534 King May '7, 19292,004,383 Cahill June 1l, 1935 2,016,467 Van Toll', Oct. 8, 19352,273,026" Dircksen Feb. 17, 19,42 2,463,339 Wetzel Mar., l, 1.9492,465,426 Bralove Mar. 29, 1949

